Dogs tortured then killed after ‘free to good home’ ads

Three of the dead dogs pictured here were listed on local Facebook pages as “free to good home.”

The dead husky has a story. She was found dead, wrapped in a shower curtain. She was listed as “free to good home,” and the notice stated that she was purebred and great with kids. In spite of that endorsement, the family “couldn’t” keep her because they were having a baby. She was found dead within weeks of that posting. The person who shared these pictures wrote:

This poor girl has had her face literally peeled from her body and there are deep puncture wounds between her front legs. I do not know what caused them but I can say with CERTAINTY she did not die quickly or peacefully.”

When a local rescuer called the woman who had placed that ad and given the husky to its killer, the woman blamed the local rescues for the dog’s death — not the sadistic killer who tortured the dog before killing it. “It’s the rescue’s fault because they won’t help the average Joe. So I couldn’t get a rescue to take the dog.” She didn’t want the dog to go to the local shelter to be killed, so she gave the dog to a stranger.

The dog died a horrific death. The person who took the picture shared that, “It looked like the face had been surgically removed.” If the owner had taken the dog to her local vet to be killed, it would have been a kinder end.

The two dogs laid out next to each other were also listed on a local Facebook page as “two bonded pits free to good home.” It appears that they suffered greatly before dying. The poster wrote, “There are bite wounds and lacerations all over their bodies. They’ve been here, dumped like garbage after obviously having been fought. They were most likely dumped still alive and left to slowly bleed out. If they were lucky, they got to pass out before succumbing to death.” When the former owner of those dogs was called, even after repeated calls, there was no response.

The last picture doesn’t even look like a dog. It’s the bones of a dog who died anonymously and whose body was disposed of as if it were a thing of no consequence, a piece of garbage. There were multiple broken bones in the garbage bag, but the body was there so long that it’s impossible to determine how the dog died. But the person who found the remains says, “I’d be willing to bet money it was a ‘free to good home’ baby as well.”
This all took place and still takes place in Kilpatrick, Alabama, where the dead and dying dogs are dumped. Animal rescuers go there to try to help those who are still alive. The local law enforcement is no help at all. Unless there is proof that a dog was dumped alive, there is no crime. Dumping a dead dog — no matter how it died — is just against a local ordinance and punishable by a fine. This is in the area where the local animal control officer shot two dogs instead of catching them last year according toWHNT19 News.

Free to good home? There is no such thing.

When you get a “free” dog or cat, it’s not really free. That’s because responsible pet owners have their dogs seen by a veterinarian, vaccinated, and kept on preventatives (like heartworm and flea preventatives) to keep them healthy and happy. Responsible owners don’t give their animals to strangers.

Free to good home?

If someone isn’t willing to pay a rehoming fee, run away. If you MUST rehome a dog or cat, demand a veterinary reference. Most vets will provide that, especially if the prospective adopter gives permission. Make sure that current or past pets were kept up-to-date on vaccinations and were spayed or neutered. If people can’t afford to give their dog proper medical care, they shouldn’t get your dog. And if they can’t give you any references (personal and/or work), don’t give them your dog!

Your pet is helpless and dependent on you for its life, security and happiness. You owe it to the creature that depends on you to make sure that you are delivering it into a safe home. Instead of allowing someone to take the dog or cat home, insist on bringing the pet to the potential new home yourself so you can see where it will live. Also, call and check on how the new situation is working out. Make the adopter(s) sign an agreement that if they ever don’t want the pet, they will call you and give the dog or cat back to you first.

There are just too many animals who are passed from family to family, confused and scared, and who end up chained outside, unwanted, unloved. There are too many cats who are dumped to fend for themselves in hostile environments — cats who once were loved and petted and now dodge stones thrown by ignorant children.

If you know anyone who needs to rehome a pet, please share this information with that person. There are many rescues that will do a courtesy posting of animals in need of homes. The rescue might even be willing to help with references and to make sure that the animal is going to a good home. Your pet is depending on you — don’t let it down!

Your points are all valid and true. Rescues do that before adopting out a dog. Unfortunately, too many people don’t, and it’s when they will give the dog to anyone free that it becomes an issue. Like people with snakes who look for free kittens to feed their snake. People who plan to kill or abuse animals often look for free animals because they don’t want to spend the money. It’s pretty well documented that bait dogs used in dogfighting rings are from “free to good home” ads and/or stolen dogs. Often, just saying that there is a fee to adopt an animal is enough to put off those with nefarious plans.

See feeding kittens to snakes is just so wrong, if it’s too big for rats or mice it should be eating small rabbits that were properly euthanized. I couldn’t in good concious ever feed my snake a kitten, it’s not even properly nutritious too them, might as well try an feed it warmed up hot dog at that point.

I never thought that.people getting a free dog to let the fighting dog kill it for training.i didn’t beleive in rehoming fees until you just made that point I never thought of guess cuz we’re im from people don’t fight dogs but now I understand the whole rehoming fee thank you for the knowledge

Most of us wouldn’t understand because that’s not how we think. And while most people who want to adopt a dog would be fine, the ones who aren’t might just seem wonderful. Even wonderful animal rescuers sometimes end up with too many animals and when they refuse to ask for help, the animals that they tried to help are the ones who suffer. That’s happened too many times recently. I tell people to only donate to local animal rescue groups they know. I donate to groups I have worked with locally and in Florida. Redland Rock Pit Quarry project is a great group. I’ve gone out feeding stray dogs with them and brought back 3 of the abandoned dogs they rescued. I also donate to my local group, Placing Paws of Libertyville. I foster for them and they take in dogs who need expensive medical treatment, pay for the treatment, and then adopt the dog for thousands of dollars less than the cost. They are amazing! Find a local group and volunteer, foster, or donate. Do whatever you can — be it huge or small — to help those who abuse and neglect animals!

I don’t have a lot of money to pay for a dog. But any one of my dogs in my 54 yrs has been well cared for by me and the vet as needed. I have one credit card just for pet emergencies and car emergencies. My baby Chiweenie I have now, is 16 and had some expensive medical needs. Over 10,000 throughout the years. She’s been cared for. But Free is how I like to rescue a dog or maybe a $75 fee or something affordable. I know I treat my pets better than some people treat their kids. And I don’t have a whole lot of money. So putting a high fee to ensure a good home is not the answer. Meet the new owner to be, do a little homework and give that damn dog to a good person to love and take care of.

I do agree that background checks, home visits, and just gut instinct can go a long way to making sure a dog has a good home. But the truth is that many take a free dog, try it out, and dump the dog back a few hours later, or worse, dump it on the streets. That’s when shelters like Miami Dade and Hillsborough County (in Tampa) don’t do home visits. Hillsborough doesn’t even have an application! They will give a dog to anyone.

shut up, Carol. These “People,” purposely scan the ads for free pets, THEY don’t want to pay! Just think about this ad, “Free to a good home.” How in the Hell does anyone who give a pet away know if they are going to a good home unless they check it out? Its a cop-out for people who want to dump their pets without being bothered much. What gets me is the excuse they are having a baby or moving so they have to get rid of their pet. WHY? They gonna get rid of their kid if they get pregnant again, and also, they know they have pets why do they get a place that doesn’t allow pets? I will tell you why because they are weak and they don’t have a loyal bone in their body that’s why. What pukes, “Oh we’re having a baby so…” These people I hope don’t have other good nights sleep for seeing their pet they have had for most of the time years being scared and heartbroken cowering in a corner in a shelter, wondering why their family left them there or worse being used for bait by dogfighters or tortured by a psycho slowly until they die or raped, yes raped. Don’t tell me, people, don’t know how to re-home their dogs. Unless they live in a cave they know how the problem is why are they dumping their pet in the first place? I believe anyone who dumps their pet should be banned from owning another one unless they are totally homeless or terminal.

I sooo agree with this. I won’t even let my dog stay at my mothers or sisters overnight without me because she will think I abandoned her and am never coming back. When we do have go somewhere away from home, we find pet friendly places and take her with us or we have pet/house come stay here with her that she has known for years. After 30 years of treating our dogs this way we are now getting an RV so we can take her on longer trips with us.

Thank you Donna!! I have raised 2 kids, all house bills, car bills with also having 2 cats and a dog. I always had put money away for vet bills also. I hate it when people give up on their pets due to babies, or moving, they should of thought of that before getting a pet. Also if you can’t afford that cute pet, pass it up and someone else take on the challenge that can afford them!!!

I got a free to a good home dog 3 years ago. A beautiful Rottweiler goofy girl. Her owner was moving a lot with his job, his wife was pregnant with their second child. He brought her to my house on request because I have a smaller beagle dog and I wanted to be sure they would get along. He stayed at my house for a couple hours while the dogs got aquatinted. He brought vet paperwork on her. I asked him what the rehoming fee was and he said he wasn’t asking for money just wanted her to have a good home. I told him that she had found one and even offered to send him pictures and keep in touch if he wanted. He declined. I hate to think what could have happened to my sweet goofy girl if someone else has responded to his Craigslist ad.
Not all people will do harm to a free dog. You do have to take precautions. I did warn the young man about the dangers if rehoming a dog for free. He never had a clue that these things can happen.

And I have rehomed a dog for free. 30 years ago I worked in an area where people often dumped their dogs. I would put an ad in for the dog and ask for a fee. But when a great family came to adopt her, a neighbor actually, I didn’t charge them. They got her spayed and vaccinated and I saw her the rest of her life. Your dog was very lucky she ended up with you!! And while he had your dog’s vet work and seemed to be responsible for the dog’s health, finding a home on Craigslist is NOT a good idea, as you point out! Some people appear to be wonderful and are excellent liars about their plans for the dog.

For sure . Not everyone looking for free pets is abusive or aniaml killers!!!😡😡Every cat i ever got was free and i give them the BEST food and flea treatment!! Hell i even gave my cat his OWN ROOM ! With a tower and catwalk and even “tinted windows” so he dont get eye damage!!💜💜💜🐱#greatkittymommy

You lady are exactly part of this problem. The Misguided and Misleading your crap. There should not be any rehome dogs . All unwanted dogs should go through an interview with a follow up by the H.S. or the spca or a registered shelter ONLY. You have no clue on how the people getting these free dogs are pros at acting and telling you exactly what you need to hear to scam you and making you believe they are the best for your dog. It’s so simple, if you want rid of them your love for them is fake. They would sacrifice their life for you but you wouldn’t never for them. No one should buy a dog/puppy if they are not sure and should always foster one first to see if you can handle it.

Great advice. If I ever knew of these people I would have my pit eat them… Listen to this advice it’s spot on… Better to take pet to pound then give to an abusive home. Do your research..my God there are sick fucks out there….

I agree here I think there should be a background check and all the hoops anyone would have to jump through as if they were adopting a child. They could stay in foster homes until the adoption is complete and I think we should do home checks on the new owners after they get the dogs. And I would not.kind personally going to do these checks because I would not think twice about removing a pet from a home. I will foster them. I have 2 dogs of my own and they are like my children. They sleep with me they are always warm and comfy and are never neglected

Horribly flawed article. Instead of talking about people needing to only adopt dogs when if they can follow through on the whole”lifetime commitment” thing….and promoting legit rescues you plug the idea of having a healthy dog put down?

I believe there are worse things than death. While I never advocate killing an adoptable dog, to me, death at the end of a needle would be preferable to a dog suffering by being a bait dog or starving to death in a crate. And those things do happen to dogs adopted out by many shelters during “free” weekends. They might also happen to dogs who require a fee, but I know for a fact that hunters get their hog hunting dogs in Tampa on weekends when the shelter gives away dogs for free. That way, if the dog is killed by the hog, the hunters aren’t out any money. I stand by the content of this article.

Agreed! The local volunteers are opposed to the shelter’s practice and some of the dead dogs and dogs who end up removed from homes because of neglect and abuse support that this is not a sound practice. The hog hunting example is from Tampa. I wish you DID live in Tampa so you could vote out the county commissioners who condone what the shelter and its manager do and vote in caring, compassionate commissioners who care about the animals in Tampa and its county.

Anyone can say they will giv a dog a good home. Does the owner think that the scum are going to say, we’re going to use the dog for bait?? How can you part with a pet and not vet thoroughly the people who are taking it. I hope your conscience bears you up forever

The problem I see, is that the people who do this crimes are not punish. This criminals must go to jail instead of only get “probation ” the Judges are getting them away with murder. Until the animals are not protected correctly, this crime is going to continue.

This is exactly right!!! Too many MONSTERS getting away with MURDER of innocent furbabies!!! Maximum prison sentences needed for all animal abuse, torture, killing, neglect!!! I think anybody that does these heinous crimes against animals should be put into an experimentation lab, take out the innocent animals and USE THESE MONSTERS, until you can’t use them any more, then GAS THEM!!!😡😡😡😡😡 Do this a couple times, animal abusers will STOP!!! MAKE THIS THEIR FATE IF THEY GET CAUGHT!!! Of course, this would never happen, unfortunately, but I think it would be a FANTASTIC DETERRENT for animal abusing MONSTERS!!!

What sort of perverted, monster could do these things, anyone adopting a dog should make sure it’s for keeps these poor fur babies on these sites would be tranumatised enough leaving their homes with out being unmercifully maimed.

I got 1 of my dogs from face book and I keep in contact with the lady we dealt with always sending up dates and pictures plus we are now facebook friends so she can always look we post pics of our furbabies all the time, this was 6-7 years ago.. then there is another one we got about 5-6 years ago and the lady said just take it, he was chained to a barn by a heavy duty logging chain and his shelter was 2 pieces of plywood in the shape of A, never looked back.. I am now happy to say both are indoor dogs and sleep in our bed and spoiled rotten. they deserve it

That’s lovely. My rescue dogs all appreciate their homes! One was dumped in the Everglades and had an imbedded harness at one point, another was rescued by my daughter when she was living in China – I flew there to bring her back, another was dumped in Missouri when he was 6 or 7 – we’ve had him for about 10 years now. One cat was walking the streets of Columbia and the other was a feral kitten – 4 months by the time I trapped him and his brother. They all have wonderful safe lives now. The cats are indoor cats and the dogs have a fenced-in yard. Each is precious in his or her own way. I’m sure your rescues appreciate their home with you — they are lucky dogs!!

God bless everybody that rescues animals!💖💖💖 All of mine are rescues, 2 dogs, 6 cats, 2 parakeets. One cat took me 8 months to convince him I was safe, finally got him inside and he is spoiled rotten, as they all are, as they all deserve to be!!!💖💖💖 My 14 year old son and I lived in 2 basements and a living room for 3 years, after a subprime predatory lender stole our home, because we wouldn’t part with our fur/feather babies! 💖💖💖 Our babies are with us for their entire lives, where we go, they go!!!💖💖💖

This animal abuse issue make me so sick! I can’t even fathom what sort of demented person could even think about, much less carry out such an evil act. I wish with all my heart that I could witness karma in action. I’d be front and center to witness these creeps being tortured the way they tortured those poor animals.

The abuse laws aren’t strong enough. Send the prick to jail for about 25 yrs, it will stop some of this abuse. Make them do hard labor for 10 yrs would stop it to. Laws should be a felony in every state, and more than a slap on the wrist!

Nobody in this time and age can’t tell me that they don’t kniw what happens “to free to a good home”! 90% of these animals get to dogfighting ring or get chained or abused! The 10% remaining are the few that are lucky to end up with great owners and homes! There are sick, vile, demented monsters out there that takes pleasure in hurting animals! NO loving and caring owner would consider giving their pets “away to a good home!” It is a easy way to get rid of a loving and trusting pet! Then rather put your animal to sleep as they don’t understand being given away or worst ending up in abusive situations! Its not rescuers place to help you home a pet because you are a lowlife scum owner tho rescuerers will do everything to help a animal! Our shelters and SPCA are bursting with unwanted and dumped and sick and abused animals! So yes YOU that are willing to give your trusting and loving animal to free to good home are : nothing but vile pieces of shit!

Poor dogs. This is why a dog should never be given away for free if people can’t afford to pay to get a dog then they can’t afford to take care of one. Because they are expensive. Trouble is people expect animals for free I see it all the time dogs and kittens free to good home not good at all.

SO PUT CAMRAS UP TO CATCH THE DUMPING… PUT UP PENALTY SIGNS NO LITTERING NO DUMPING $1000 FINE EACH …..OH I BET THAT SHIT WILL STOP
REMEMBER ALL THE ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS NOW… SO NOW IS THE CHANCE FOR ALL THE COUNTIES TO MAKE MONEY… CATCH THEIR ASSES MAKE YOUR MONEY

It’s horrific. I may blame mostly at the person or persons committing these horrible crimes. If you knew a next door neighbor was capable of doing such acts would you wanna live next to them?
People often see things them turn a blind eye because they are afraid of retaliation, making someone mad or getting involved in what could end up a very public and long court drama. Some really don’t care but if they’ll do this to dogs then I’d keep my kids very close & my doors locked.
Don’t always be ready to jump on whoever offers a dog free. Personally with what I now know I wouldn’t do it unless no other choice. I’ve kept my dogs forever now. All until they die of old age or must be put out of misery if cancer. My Golden Retrievers I had all were cremated with instructions they be buried with me. I now have a saved Husky & a saved Boxer. Not my breed choices but the other side was certain death. Once I took them I kept them.
It’s unfortunate but things do happen. I don’t agree with new baby in house or suddenly allergic after 10 years their pet. Death of owner, losing jobs, homes & so on can happen and change things for your dog. I know a lady that I tried to help her find a rescue for her dogs, ducks & goose. Took year & half to find a rescue willing. With new tethering laws many are dumping their dogs on shelters. They are all full and so many raids on puppy mills which is needed is filling up shelters fast. A couple of months ago she sent pictures of stray cats in her area dragging litters of kittens to her house. I’m still posting rescues. All way beyond full. People just think it’s ok to let unaltered cats roam all night. I catch some here in traps & do a TNR where they give shots to feral cats, spay or neuter then not to disrupt any colonies they bring them back.
People get desperate if shelters won’t take their cats or dogs so hoping for best advertise free on FB or Craigslist. People complain about shelters that are kill shelters but when full, out of funds & no adopters I can understand they have no choice. Those that say no kill shelters are finding they must now close. Saw one long time shelter today that’s closing. Changes they need to make to come up to new codes they just can’t afford so close the doors.
I’ve been jumped on before by those that say I should help human charities or support no abortion. I have my reasons for wanting to help animals & don’t try to change their minds about what to support or not.
It’s all a rotten shame. If these pictures offend us then just don’t complain. Get involved. Do what you can to help shelters of choice or like someone I knew sometime back he donated money to the shelter that took dogs his relative left behind when she died. Some shelters will ask a nominal fee to leave a pet. One guy got mad & just dumped his scared dog in their parking lot because he did not have the fee. Perhaps some rescues can help pay fees for dogs being dropped off. If I can help I will. This is all our problem. All our fault in many ways.

Anyone who gets a dog or cat and then decides they can’t keep them should be put on a list to never be allowed to own pets again! If you couldn’t take care of one then you can’t now! Period! I love my two girls and would feed them first before I ate! I wish I could get a farm and take all the unwanted fur babies young and old! They deserve love furever!!

The problem is people in general. There are sick, twisted people in this world, unfortunately. Most of us dont think the way these people do so it doesn’t occur to us that things like this happen until we hear about. We as a society need to be more vigilant and realize just how “f” upped some people are. We need not only be vigilant with our pets but our children, ourselves, and each other.

Actually, the article was copied from an article originally posted on Examiner.com before they closed business. Some of the pictures didn’t make the transfer and some moved. I’m actually not sure why the article is being shared now, over three years after I originally posted it. My current articles are always proofed. Thanks for the suggestion! I agree.

How could anyone possibly know where these dogs came from or if they were ‘free’? You can’t. ** Unless you have intentionally set these animals up( marked them somehow) to be given away just to see what would happen. I dont doubt that ppl do these types of unthinkable things to animals & ppl alike, however this appears to be just some more drama filled words & pictures being presented by a person or multiple ppl who don’t like the fact that ppl would give an animal away, or would buy an animal instead of adopt one.

Thanks for your response. This article is over 3 years old, but I do know that the people involved found the ads stating free to good home and followed up. With the remains that couldn’t be identified, that is clearly stated in the article. This is NOT just drama. There are more recent articles about the danger of giving or adopting dogs out for free. Ask the volunteers at the Hillsborough County Pet Services in Tampa, FL, where dogs adopted out on “free” weekends go to hog hunters who use them for hunting where they sometimes get killed, don’t give them any medical care at all, even basic care, because they know when one dog dies they can get another one for free. One actually listed a dog he adopted for free for sale the next day and said it was a “hog hunter.” Those are facts. Read https://pamelakramer.com/2016/06/15/volunteers-heartbroken-dog-failed-by-shelter-three-times-was-killed-2/

Makla….ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW??????? THIS IS A HORRIBLE WORLD WE LIVE IN!!!! THINGS LIKE THIS DO HAPPEN AND I THINK IT IS A GREAT THING THAT ATTENTION IS BEING BROUGHT TO THESE HORRIFIC THINGS!!!! THIS IS CERTAINLY.NOT DRAMA FILLED!! THESE ARE TRUE AND ACCURATE STORIES WITH PROOF AS LISTED IN THE ARTICLES!!!! PLEASE OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE HORRIBLE THINGS GOING ON TO. THESE PRECIOUS FUR BABIES!! NOT ONE OF THEM DESERVE THE HORRIBLE & UNIMAGINABLE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO THEM!!!! THEY SUFFERED VERY HORRIBLE AND UNTIMELY DEATHS!!!!!

I completely agree.
* Most animals that are tortured do not come from ppl who give them away for free. You truly would , 99.9% of the time, have absolutely no idea where an animal came from or whether it were free or not , when they are found in this condition.

I saw your ad on CL about “this is what happens when you give a dog away on CL”, and I just wanted you to know that this is NOT always the case. As a matter of fact, there are some people out there (like me) who love the purebred dogs, but simply cannot afford the “breeder’s” ridiculous prices of $800 PLUS for a dog. I got my most recent dog, a 6 month old purebred GSD, from a CL ad. The people who had him said they didn’t have time for him, and they decided to rehome him. Thank God I stumbled across this ad and got this dog. They had all but starved him. I didn’t realize it at first, and I wasn’t going to take him, but “that little voice” told me to take him. When I got him home, I then realized the extent of his lack of proper nourishment…..you could literally count his ribs and vertebrae. He is now healthy and thriving, and he has a super great home. So please, reconsider your ad as it makes it bad for those of us who really love and care for the animals but can’t afford the HIGH cost the breeders are wanting. If you really want to do something about the people who get the animals and abuse and kill them, maybe there is a better way.

To be completely honest, the real problem here is, who the heck does something like this to a living, breathing creature?..Apparently, there’s someone really disturbed living amongst the community that’s been practicing these gruesome murders on animals for the ‘larger kill.’. Let’s not skip over the fact that there’s a serial killing sociopath on the loose.

Well I can’t find my original comment so forgive me if this is a repeat.

First of all to those of you who are of the opinion that money= safety and free=certain death i’d just like to say grow up. I have a 6 year old mini schnauzer that my daughter brought home (after being given the dog for free) that lives quite the pampered life. When she first came she weighed 1 lb 6 ounces and was covered in fleas. She is part of the family. 2 years ago i lost my 9 year old 160 lb rott who we purchased at 6 weeks old who was also a part of our family. I didn’t love him any more because he cost me money or her any less because she was free.
Second to those of you who are of the opinion that there is no excuse for a person having to give up a pet EVER, sorry not everyone has a perfect life where unfortunate circumstances NEVER happen. How wonderful that must be. And how noble that you take the time to post comments from your pedestal way up high. My best friend (an only child) had just signed a 2 year lease for her apartment which forbid pets of any kind when her widowed mother who had never had any health problems unexpectedly had a stroke leaving her unable to live independently. Her mothers constant companion Prince whom she dearly loved could not go to the assisted living home with her….you see where im headed right? Another friend lost their job and had to move to a cheaper apartment from their home. Their 4 year old shepherd wasnt allowed. They were struggling to put food on their table for their kids as it was. It broke their heart but King had to be rehomed. They are good decent people and how dare anyone judge them for having to choose between keeping a roof over their heads /feeding their kids over keeping /feeding their dog and all of them being homeless.
It is a very naive person who thinks anything other than thorough screening can help to prevent cruelty and abuse. Even that sometimes fails. Its an even more naive person who thinks just because a person PAYS for something that they will love it and treat it with kindness. Lets remember there were/are plenty of slave owners who purchased other human beings. We all know how well they were treated. Bottom line is there are all kinds of sick twisted people out there…a fair amount of them have money. And there are plenty of good hearted people who dont have a dime.

You aren’t saying anything that most people in rescue wouldn’t agree with. I actually got my cats for free. 2 were born in my neighborhood and one we found in the streets. I spent more $$ on vetting them that I would have if I had adopted a cat from a shelter. You are also correct that thorough checking of those who are getting the “free” animals would go a long way. What is harmful and dangerous to the animals is when shelters give the animals to anyone, no checking, no home visit, nothing. Some of those animals end up in great homes. But many are facing a nightmare. Whether they are returned within an hour or a day because their adopted didn’t give them time to decompress, chained in the yard, dumped in the streets, or used as a bait dog, too many end up back in the shelter in horrible shape or dead. That is a reality. That’s why many reputable rescues do not believe in “Clear the Shelter” weekends, because while many animals will find good homes, many will suffer.

You started by criticizing the woman for blaming the rescue organization instead of the person(s) who tortured and killed the dog….but then YOU blamed the animal owner for trying to find the dog a home instead of the person who tortured the animal. Quit placing blame where it does not belong.

Do ANY of you know what dogfighting is or even try to educate yourself on it? It’s pretty rare, not many around here I can say that for a fact because I’ve actually taken classes on it, learned about “Professional Dog Fighting”! Yes, it happens but it’s rare & secretive & the law is onto them! There are so many helicopters flying here in Southern AZ dogfighting rings would be too easy to find, so most dogs around here are just dumped & die in the elements &/or starvation, it’s horrible but true! We didn’t have the volume of problems they have here but you have a lot of wide-open spaces & people keep to themselves, however, they just amended the laws to be stricter & they need to enforce them! Shoving things in peoples heads like “charge a $100 fee & people won’t abuse their dogs” is absolutely NOT true, a good home is a good home whether you charge them nothing or $100…Do you people honestly believe that a rehoming fee will break someone into being a good owner?! I’ve seen people spend thousands of $$ & abuse &/or neglect the dogs, in fact, most puppy mills & large kennels are a huge problem because there’s no one watching them & it’s easy to run out of money for food quickly! Enforcing laws in place, become pro spay/neuter & offer services which they do yet they need to offer more & limit the number of dogs people can have unless they go in front of the zoning board for a special “commercial license”! When you take away puppies people start breeding these designer breeds & charge $500 for them because they know they can get it, they need to control breeding to some degree! These are the things that are going to help animals in this country & people become whistleblowers on those that don’t follow the laws!
Read & educate yourselves from reputable sites!!

I would chuckle, but this is too serious a topic to laugh at. There may not be many “professional dog fighting” rings where you are, but I can say with certainty that they proliferate across the country. In the South, in big cities, people may not do it professionally, but it’s done. And while you are correct that charging $100 is not a guarantee that a dog will not be abused, there are also dogs adopted on “free weekends” who end up in good homes. But there are many, many who do not. And the stories abound — watch the Facebook pages of shelter volunteers and you will learn the tragic stories. Regular media doesn’t cover them — there are too many and sadly, they are not news. But make no mistake, even though this article is several years old, that fact is still just as true as when I wrote it. I’ve helped a dog find a home and said I was going to charge a rehoming fee — the jerks hung up. The good people were still interested. I didn’t end up charging anything, but I knew the ones who were interested would have paid me. I’ve also had a man adopt a rescued bird from me. I asked for a nominal adoption fee, but gave him the vet information so he’d know what had been done to the bird. He returned and gave me cash for all I had spent. A true gentleman. I completely agree about getting rid of puppy mills and offering free spay/neuter to all who can’t afford to pay for it. That’s the only way to stop the overpopulation problem.

I started a petition on care2 petitions, or change.org, can’t remember which one, a few days ago, about this very issue! My petition is requesting the Federal Government institute a 5 year moratorium on breeding of all cats and dogs, with huge fines and lengthy prison sentences for non-compliance!!! This is the ONLY WAY we will ever get a handle on the homeless pet pooulation!!! Also, there needs to be ACCOUNTABILITY!!!! The laws against animal abuse, neglect, killing and abandonment, made MUCH HARSHER AND ENFORCED, so humans stop looking at pets as disposable!!! They are NOT DISPOSABLE!!! THIS MINDSET NEEDS TO CHANGE DRASTICALLY, AND THE ONLY WAY IT WILL CHANGE IS WITH HARSH PUNISHMENTS TO THOSE MONSTERS THAT PERPETRATE THESE DESPICABLE ACTS AGAINST HELPLESS ANIMALS!!!😭💔😡😭💔😡

Previous owners, along with the killer, are ALL to blame. For this owner to try to blame the authorities, is absurd! That owner is an idiot. That owner shoyldn’t have a dog, or a baby for that matter. Horrible people.

Just because you don’t want to pay a rehoming fee doesn’t mean that you have nefarious ideas. It could mean that you are between checks or any number of things. Money doesn’t mean care. We didn’t have money for Little Bit, but she is almost 9, never been without food and water and has been spayed. We were between checks and working at Walmart.
A REHOMING FEE OR LACK OF GUARANTEES NOTHING

It doesn’t. And as plenty of comments point out, doing a background and vet check, and a home visit, go a long way toward ensuring a good home. Money isn’t everything. But it IS a fact that many creeps get free dogs for nefarious purposes. They won’t pay for them, and often, just saying that there is a charge will deter those kind of people but not good people. It does take money to provide heartworm prevention, though. And flea and tick medication. Neglected dogs frequently are abandoned covered in ticks which carry bloodborne diseases. Dogs are not cheap.

I betting dog fighting rings are responding to these ads to train their killers on. Sick. The police SHOULD care because everywhere in the US, dog fighting is illegal. That is what they need to look into.

I think this is multi faceted problem. I do see the truth that when owners truly need help and need to relinquish the dog they don’t want to take them to the shelter and rescues want no part of it because there’s not money attached from pledges. And even when a dog does get rescued from the shelter look at how many bad stories we see where the money is miss used in the person is making out like a bandit while the dog suffers. Free to good home is not a good ideal but I do understand that They were trying to keep the dog safe from a kill shelter. But it is twofold you’re setting them up for possible torture

And free to good home could work if the owner thoroughly vets the adopter by going to their house, calling their vet reference, calling another reference. Visiting the dog a few weeks later. Otherwise, you are just dumping your dog.

After I lost my 18 year old baby (dog), I started thinking about getting a companion for our other small dog. I was at my vet’s office talking with them about it and they brought out two, five month old purebred puppies that a local breeder had taken to them and left because “they were too old to sell”! I asked if there was an adoption fee since my vet had already done all of the vaccinations-she said that for me, the dog was free because she knew it was going to a good home. This poor boy knew absolutely nothing and was terrified-the first time he saw steps, he stood and stared at them because he had spent every minute of his life in a cage! A year and a half later, he is a sweet, healthy boy that just loves his his dog sister-we found her sitting in a neighbor’s driveway a couple of years ago and nobody claimed her. Our cat doesn’t care for either of them (we rescued her at 1 1/2 weeks old weighing half a pound) but that’s ok-she’s spoiled beyond belief too! I would never leave my pets behind or move somewhere that doesn’t allow them because they are family! If someone were to harm one of them,I would need bail money! Too many people believe that it’s JUST an animal! It’s a shame that people obtaining animals for terrible purposes make it harder for those of us who can and will give a loving home to these souls!

I can say that shelters and rescues are not always the answer either. My wife and I adopted a Beagle (full-blooded) that was abused so bad even at the shelter she was mistreated badly. She would not let a lady pet her at all and coward when I would pet her and giver her attention. She continues after 2 years lays in small areas about the size of a cage and doesn’t wag her tail when she is being petted and loved on. It is a total war when trying to give her a bath. She panics so bad that if you have her on a tie-out she will pull away near choking herself. Same with trying it in a tub. After 2 years of having her, she still is a work in progress and a long road to travel. The rescue where we got her from claimed she was 2 and she was actually 8 years old when they sold her to us.

In my view, the only way to reduce animal cruelty and abuse is to 1) end the view of them being property and start seeing them just like children. 2) Increase the penalties for both child and animal abuse and neglect. 3) Double the penalties after the first offense and conviction. 4) Like the sex-offender registry, have a child and animal abuser registry which include those found guilty of neglect. 5) Make animal cruelty & neglect along with child abuse & neglect the highest felony possible since that is preying on the defenseless. After 3 convictions they are viewed as a habitual offender and include a 3-strikes clause as they do for other felonies. Habitual or 3-strikes is life without parole.

Your beagle is lucky to be in a home where she is treated with patience and love. Our dog from China wasn’t abused but rather neglected. It took 4 years for her to turn into a lover, and now she gently jumps on the legs of visitors to ask for petting. Ironically, we still haven’t bathed her! She doesn’t get dirty and we brush her well. She gets flea and tick meds, so she’s a clean girl. Unlike some beagles, she doesn’t roll in smelly stuff. We are still careful to go slow with new situations. I agree with all of your ideas! Exactly right. Thanks for commenting and best of luck with your pup.

In the text it is stated that this woman should have taken her dog to have it put down instead of having it face this horrific outcome.
In an ideal world yes … however I have rescued a lot of animals in my day and I have not met a vet yet that will put a healthy animal down under any circumstances …. There were no good outcomes anywhere in this whole tragic story.
People need to think hard and logically before getting an animal … .. do I think I might get pregnant in the lifetime of this animal and if so do I want to keep the animal if I get pregnant???? If there is a slight bit of question or doubt about that, then do not get the damn dog subjecting it to a horrific death like this

I feel that not only the people who abuse the animals should be prosecuted but the animals family that gave the animal away should be prosecuted as well because they neglected and failed to find these babies a new safe home!!!!!

Yet another irresponsible article about dogs and cats who have a horrible ending. Blaming how the dog was obtained for its death is just another busybody with too much time on her hands. Shame on you for spreading this false fear to people in need of rehoming. Instead of blaming the wrong people, here you blame the people who gave their dogs away for free not mentioning the millions and millions of rehoming exchanges that are successful. You should be focusing on what people can do when rehoming. I’ll tell you what ends up killing animal..Ill-informed articles like this that cause people to believe that charging money stops crimes like this. Why not spend your time teaching people how to interview candidates. Why not spend your time explaining how to do follow up. Why not spend your time explaining how to screen. One more person who would rather lead people to the dark and to the millions of successful cases. Shame on you. Just shame on you. Pathetic.

Actually, this article is over 5 years old. But I stand by the fact that all too often, giving a dog away for free is a recipe for disaster for the dog (or cat). Clear the Shelter weekends, too, often result in dogs being sold online the next day as “hunting dogs,” to be put in dangerous situations like hog hunting in Florida. And if you don’t believe it, I’d be happy to put you in touch with shelter volunteers who have witnessed that over and over again. Home checks, checking references, and other vetting does help, but often people are too happy to just “get rid” of their animal and don’t do that. For those people, who are too lazy to do the work, charging $50 for a dog often means that those buying the dog will treasure it. Many people don’t value that which they get for free. Sorry if you disagree.

I mostly agree with what you said, and a lot of these people giving their pets away are having babies or a similar dilemma arises. I don’t think that they wouldn’t have a heart to give their pet away; they are either unfortunately ignorant of the consequences of listing their pet as free or they are put in a bad situation(could be financial) where they don’t know what to do about the pet, alternative options, or are desperate to remove the pet. Yes, some owners don’t care enough to place their pet in less negligent situation. Pamela is right about mentioning that the shelter is to be blamed, although shelters may also have no more capacity to hold the incoming animals and that is a circumstance that cannot be blamed on anyone. The original dog owner AND/or the shelter can be blamed, it really just depends.